London mayor calls for co-operation with Muslim community

LONDON - A new survey released today by the Greater London Authority confirms that London's Muslim communities share common values and concerns with the wider community, repudiating the image of conflicting values portrayed by certain sections of the media.

This shows the importance of working with the Muslim community and its leadership in the struggle against criminality – including terrorism.

IPSOS-MORI carried out a poll of attitudes among Muslims in London compared to the views of all Londoners.

Nearly all Muslim Londoners surveyed - 96 per cent - think that everyone should respect the law in Britain, virtually the same as the number of Londoners as a whole at 97 per cent.

The overwhelming majority of Muslims polled, 89 per cent, believe that everyone in Britain should be free to live their lives as they want so long as they do not prevent others from doing the same – again virtually identical to Londoners as a whole, where the figure was 88 per cent.

The overwhelming majority of Muslim respondents – 94 per cent – also believe that everyone in Britain should have equal opportunities, as does 92 per cent of Londoners as a whole.

Almost nine out of ten Londoners and Muslims, 90 per cent and 88 per cent respectively, agree that people should have a voice in politics through democracy, which is being realised as Muslims are having an increased involvement in the political process in London.

86 per cent of Muslims also think it is important that the Metropolitan Police work closely with communities such as the Muslim community to deter terrorist attacks, compared to 91 per cent of all Londoners.

The survey also reveals that Muslims have similar concerns to other Londoners regarding crime, clean streets and public transport and it indicates clear commitment to life in the capital.

Strong identification with respondents' local area is high across all groups. Nearly three quarters, 74 per cent of Muslims and are proud of their local area compared to 70 per cent of Londoners as whole.

The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: “There has been much discussion about how to engage politically and socially with the Muslim community, but this survey shows that the vast majority of Muslims hold views in common with the rest of London about respect for the law, the value of democracy, the importance of mutual respect and equal opportunites, and debunking myths that are so readily perpetuated by some commentators and in certain sections of the media. The view that the Muslim community as a whole holds fundamentally different views to the rest of Londoners is shown by these figures to be totally untrue. That is why those who attempt to demonise the Muslim community do great damage. It is, on the contrary, necessary to work with the overwhelming majority of the Muslim community to isolate the small number of dangerous people. Co-operation with the Muslim community is vital for the intelligence the police need to safeguard terrorists who kille Muslims just as much as other Londoners.”

The survey shows that Muslims in London want a society based on mutual respect for different beliefs as much as other Londoners. More than three fifths of Muslims believe it is important to have the freedom to say what they believe is true (84 per cent of Muslims and 88 per cent of Londoners as a whole). Furthermore, 95 per cent of Muslims think everyone should be free to practise their religion openly, compared to 86 per cent of the public.

The Mayor added: 'One in twelve Londoners is Muslim and London's Muslim communities, in all their diversity, play an essential part in the life of our city, contributing to its success as a global city. These findings show that Muslim Londoners whilst valuing their faith, share the same values as other Londoners. I will continue to work to increase understanding combat some of the ignorance, prejudice and Islamaphobia stirred up by some sections of the media which is deeply dangerous to Londoners.'

(Source: Middle East Online)